Marine Commandant Gen. Robert Neller is a plain-spoken officer who has a knack for explaining complex problems in easily understandable, and sometime humorous terms.

A decorated officer who led Marines in Iraq, Neller has a self-effacing demeanor but a dogged focus on making sure his Marines get what they need to fight the nation’s wars. His self-deprecating humor was on display Tuesday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, where he referred to himself as “just an old, fat man.”